Wandering wolf OR7 tracked in same area as California’s last wild wolf, in 1924

California’s new wild wolf resident generally has been on the move since arriving one month ago. But the wolf known as OR7 has spent a lot of time lately in the same region where the state’s last known wild wolf was killed in 1924.That would be an area north of Honey Lake in southeastern Lassen County. A trapper killed what is thought to be the state’s last known wild wolf in that area, near the town of Litchfield, in 1924.

That wolf was emaciated. At 56 pounds, it was half a normal wolf’s weight. It was also missing part of a hind leg, likely from escaping a prior trapping attempt.

OR7’s lingering in the area is likely coincidence, experts said, though it may point to something in a wolf’s habitat preferences…